Device for remote operation of pressurized spray can



G. L. LESH Jan. 18, 1966 DEVICE FOR REMOTE OPERATION OF PRESSURIZEDSPRAY CAN Filed June 8, 1964 INVENTOR, 9%. 5. 6/45527 L. LES/l A TTOR/VA VS United States Patent 3,229,858 DEVICE FOR REMOTE OPERATION OFPRESSURIZED SPRAY CAN Gilbert L. Lesh, 11833 142nd SE., Renton, Wash.Filed June 8, 1964, Ser. No. 373,176 3 Claims. (Cl. 222-174) Thisinvention relates to a device which attaches to a standard hand portablepressurized spray can, making the combination useful to sprayinsecticides, paints, extinguishers, etc., in areas remote from a userwho can position and operate the spraying assembly.

The purpose of the invention is to increase the usefulness ofpressurized spray cans extending their use into areas not otherwisereadily accessible to the user, such as upper levels of buildings andtrees, interiors of conduits, and potentially oxygen-starvedatmospheres.

The invention, briefly described, comprises: an assembly of apressurized spray can holder, its valve actuator and its handle receiveradapted for or combined with an extensive length handle and pull-line toselectively control the amount and direction of a spray discharged at aplace remote from the user.

This invention is illustrated in an accompanying drawing of embodimentsdirected to reliable operating units manufactured at low cost.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment, thecontinuation of an extensive length handle and an operating line notbeing shown and a pressurized spray can being shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is a partial front view of a pressurized spray can indicatingalso how can-holding and spray-actuating components of the device arepositioned about the spray can;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view of the vertical body of thedevice indicating its guide to control the valve actuator which is alsopartially shown;

FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an endof a valve actuator prepared with an embossment to receive an operatingline; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of thehandle receiver formed with a gripping support and a lower alignmentsupport.

The preferred embodiment of the invention centers on the illustrateddevice shown in FIGURE 1. A body 12 has a straight portion 14 whichgenerally assumes a vertical position during use. At the upper end ofthis straight portion 14, a bend occurs positioning, at approximatelyninety degrees, a spray can top holder 16. This holder 16 presents aU-shaped gripping flange 18 which inter-fits with the grooved flange 22of a valve mechanism 24 of spray can 26. The can 26 is then positionedupright alongside the straight portion 14 of the body 12.

The lower end 30 of body 12 is bent in'an opposite direction to holder16, and also at approximately ninety degrees to position a handlereceiver 32. This receiver 32 has a circular cutout to receive a tubularfitting 36 secured in place by screw washer 38. Fitting 36 receives ahandle 40 which is held in place relative to fitting 36 either byinternal threads (not shown) or by a set screw 41 threaded through theside of fitting 36.

As noted, handle 40 may not be threaded and held in place verticallyonly by the engagement of set screw 41. However, handle 40 may havethreads on its end 42 matching interior threads provided in a fittinglike fitting 36. A threaded end handle 40 may be identical to or similarto handles available for many items such as floor mops and windowwashers. By combining lengths of such handles 40 (not shown), an overallresulting assembly may be useful where spraying is to be done at veryremote locations.

The remaining components of the device 10 are directed to operating thevalve mechanism 24 positioned at the top 28 of spray can 26. Under axialdepression of a valve cap 44, an orifice 46 is aligned presenting aspray exit for the pressurized contents of can 26 which may bealternatively formulated for many purposes such as painting and killinginsects.

The downward movement of a line 50, both secured to the lower eye end 52of a trigger 54 and extended down along handle 40 within reach of theuser, causes downward movement of the triggers guiding body '56immediately adjacent to straight portion 14 of device 10. Such adjacentmovement is assured by a confining guide 58, located on straight bodyportion 14, which slidably controls the trigger body 56. The trigger 54movement is parallel to both body portion 14 and handle 40 and occursreadily as the user pulls on line 50.

The top 62 of trigger 54 is bent to form a depressor 64 over valvemechanism 24. This depressor 64 is moved into contact with valve cap 44and beyond to align orifice 46 for spraying when line 50 is pulled by auser. Orifice 46, upon lowering of valve cap 44, is aligned with anopening (not shown) through hollow valve I stem 66. Through thesealigned openings the pressurized can contents eject as a spray. Othervalve mechanisms (not shown), operable upon reducing the clearancebetween members such as the depressor 64 and holder 16, likewise areactuated conveniently and reliably.

Some changes in design may be in order, depending on manufacturingpreferences and related costs. In the embodiment of FIGURE 4, an openembossment 70 is relied upon to support line 50 rather than a doubledback lower eye end structure 52 of trigger 54 illustrated in FIGURE 1.In both structures the operating objective is similar. Suffi-cientsmooth contact surface is necessary to avoid damage to the line 50 uponrepeated pulls.

Where reliance on the availability of prethreaded formed handles 40 isto be avoided and/ or where less expensive production methods aresought, handle receiving structure 74 may be used as illustrated inFIGURE 6. By making three bends, lower end 76 of another body 78 isformed in which aligned, spaced, recessed, handle holders 80, 82 areprovided. One recess, such as the upper one, is formed with offsets toprovide stamped threads 84 which will accommodate threads 42 of a handle40 or which will form threads in another handle (not shown), made of anyWood or material capable of being fastened to the body 78, as threadsare formed in its oversized, inserted and rotated end.

The guide 58 may be, in part, stamped out of the body 12, completelyformed from the body, or it may be formed by adding a strip secured, forexample, by soldering, spot welding, riveting or otherwise.

In various embodiments of the invention, as illustrated or reasonablycontemplated, the materials used or to be used are several in number.Generally, the body 12 and trigger 54 are made of metal but somestronger plastic materials could be used. There must be a certainrigidity to control the relative guided movement of trigger 54 adjacentto body 12 or 78. The line 50 can be string, cord and/or wire. Thehandle 40 can be metal, plastic or wood. Where inadvertent contact withelectrical wiring is possible, wood and non conducting plasticformulations are essential as non-conducting handle materials.

Whatever materials may be used or specific embodiments may be chosen,the overall purpose of the invention is to increase the usefulness ofpressurized spray cans extending their use into areas not otherwisereadily accessible to the user. By his selection of various lengthhandles and corresponding length pull lines to be used 3 with the devicehe obtains a resulting assembly giving himself an ability to spray inremote locations upon a pull of the line.

I claim:

' 1. An assembly adapted to receive a pressurized spray can and tooperate its spray valve mechanism from a remote location, comprising: abody extendable to partially surround a top flange of a pressurizedspray can, thereafter partially extendable parallel to a side of apressurized spray can to form a trigger retainer and control surface,and then outwardly extendable from a pressurized spray can to be ahandle receiver; a trigger extendable over a valve mechanism located ata top flange of a'pressurized spray can, thereafter partially extendableparallel to a side of a pressurized spray can to restrictively movealong the trigger control surface of the body, and then to terminate ina receiver adaptable to hold a pull line; a handle for attachment to thehandle receiver of the body; and a pull line for attachment to thereceiver on the triggerand placement along the handle.

2. A device adapted to receive a pressurized spray can, comprising: abody extendable to partially surround an upper flange of a pressurizedspray can; thereafter extendable parallel to a side of a pressurizedspray can to form a trigger restrictive guide, and then outwardlyextendable from a pressurized spray can to be a handle receiver; atrigger extendable over a valve mechanism located at an upper flange ofa pressurized spray can, thereafter partially extendable restrictiveguide of the body and then to terminate in a pull line receiver.

3. A device adapted for connection'to a handle and a pressurized spraycan, comprising: a body having a. straight portion to extend alongside apressurized spray can; a holder, secured to the body adapted to grip atop of a pressurized spray can sub-adjacent the sprayertherea of; a.holder secured to the body adapted to receive a handle and having ahandle received therein, said handle, being elongated to position thepressurized spray can a,

distance from the user; a trigger slidably juxtaposed-to,- the body; adepressor, arranged on the trigger adapted to contact a sprayermechanism on the pressurized spray can; and a line receiver secured onthe trigger and receiving a pull-line of a length to extend therefrom toap-; proximately the end of the :handle received by said LOUIS I. DEMBO,Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. CARTER, Examiner.

parallel to a sideof apressurized spray can to restrictively move alongthe trigger.

1. AN ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PRESSURIZED SPRAY CAN AND TO OPERATEITS SPRAY VALVE MECHANISM FROM A REMOTE LOCATION, COMPRISING: A BODYEXTENDABLE TO PARTIALLY SURROUND A TOP FLANGE OF A PRESSURIZED SPRAYCAN, THEREAFTER PARTIALLY EXTENDABLE PARALLEL TO A SIDE OF A PRESSURIZEDSPRAY CAN TO FORM A TRIGGER RETAINER AND CONTROL SURFACE, AND THENOUTWARDLY EXTENDABLE FROM A PRESSURIZED SPRAY CAN TO BE A HANDLERECEIVER; A TRIGGER EXTENDABLE OVER A VALVE MECHANISM LOCATED AT A TOPFLANGE OF A PRESSURIZED SPRAY CAN, THEREAFTER PARTIALLY EXTENDABLEPARALLEL TO A SIDE OF A PRESSURIZED SPRAY CAN TO RESTRICTIVELY MOVEALONG THE TRIGGER CONTROL SURFACE OF THE BODY, AND THEN TO TERMINATE INA RECEIVER ADAPTABLE TO HOLD A PULL LINE; A HANDLE FOR ATTACHMENT TO THEHANDLE RECEIVER OF THE BODY; AND A PULL LINE FOR ATTACHMENT TO THERECEIVER ON THE TRIGGER AND PLACEMENT ALONG THE HANDLE.